CPR - adult and child 9 years and older

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CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It is a lifesaving procedure that is done when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped. This may happen after an electric shock, drowning, or heart attack. CPR involves:

Rescue breathing, which provides oxygen to a person's lungs.

Chest compressions, which keep the person's blood circulating.

Permanent brain damage or death can occur within minutes if a person's blood flow stops. Therefore, you must continue CPR until the person's heartbeat and breathing return, or trained medical help arrives.

Considerations

CPR is best done by someone trained in an accredited CPR course. The procedures described here are NOT a substitute for CPR training. The newest techniques emphasize compression over rescue breathing and airway management, reversing a long-standing practice. See www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ for classes near you.

Time is very important when an unconscious person is not breathing. Permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4 to 6 minutes later.

Machines called automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can be found in many public places, and are available for home use. These machines have pads or paddles to place on the chest during a life-threatening emergency. They automatically check the heart rhythm and give a sudden shock if, and only if, that shock is needed to get the heart back into the right rhythm. When using an AED, follow the instructions exactly.

Causes

In adults, major reasons that heartbeat and breathing stop include:

Drug overdose

Excessive bleeding

Heart problem (heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm, fluid in the lungs or compressing the heart)

Symptoms

First Aid

1. Check for responsiveness. Shake or tap the person gently. See if the person moves or makes a noise. Shout, "Are you okay?"

2. Call 911 if there is no response. Shout for help and send someone to call 911. If you are alone, call 911 and retrieve an AED (if available), even if you have to leave the person.

3. Carefully place the person on their back. If there is a chance the person has a spinal injury, two people should move the person to prevent the head and neck from twisting.

4. Perform chest compressions:

Place the heel of one hand on the breastbone -- right between the nipples.

Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand.

Position your body directly over your hands.

Give 30 chest compressions. These compressions should be fast and hard. Press down about 2 inches (5 centimeters) into the chest. Each time, let the chest rise completely. Count the 30 compressions quickly: "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30, off".

5. Open the airway. Lift up the chin with 2 fingers. At the same time, tilt the head by pushing down on the forehead with the other hand.

6. Look, listen, and feel for breathing. Place your ear close to the person's mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

7. If the person is not breathing or has trouble breathing:

Cover their mouth tightly with your mouth.

Pinch the nose closed.

Keep the chin lifted and head tilted.

Give 2 rescue breaths. Each breath should take about a second and make the chest rise.

8. Repeat chest compressions and rescue breathing until the person recovers or help arrives. If an AED for adults is available, use it as soon as possible.

If the person starts breathing again, place him or her in the recovery position. Keep checking for breathing until help arrives.

DO NOT

If the person has normal breathing, coughing, or movement, DO NOT begin chest compressions. Doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.

Unless you are a health professional, DO NOT check for a pulse. Only a health care professional is properly trained to check for a pulse.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

If you have help, tell one person to call 911 while another person begins CPR.

If you are alone, as soon as you determine that the person is unresponsive, call 911 immediately. Then begin CPR.

Prevention

In adults, to avoid injuries and heart problems that can lead to the heart stopping beating:

Eliminate or reduce risk factors that contribute to heart disease, such as cigarette smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and stress.

Get plenty of exercise.

See your health care provider regularly.

Always use seat belts and drive safely.

Avoid using illegal drugs.

Most children need CPR because of a preventable accident. The following tips may help prevent some accidents in children:

Teach your children the basic principles of family safety.

Teach your child to swim.

Teach your child to watch for cars and ride bikes safely.

Teach your child firearm safety. If you have guns in your home, keep them locked in an isolated cabinet.

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